Page 55 of Paths
That one was different. In all the years since it happened, I’ve never dreamt about that day. Lots of other days, but not that one.
I don’t even know what that means.
I do my best to even my breathing so she can sleep and put it out of my head.
When her breath becomes steady again, it’s not hard. I need to focus on her, maybe that will help me forget my demons. At least for tonight.
I close my eyes, and for the first time in a long while, I allow myself to go back to sleep after the nightmares.
I sleep until her alarm goes off.
*****
Weston MacLachlan –
My phone rings over the speaker. I cringe when I see it’s my father because, between the shit going down with Maya and my new idea of moving drugs across the border instead of shipping them with produce, it’s been a long couple of days. I can barely control myself when I think of her with him. I’ve never felt more on edge, thinking of someone else touching her— tainting my sweet pussy.
“Yeah?” I answer, fisting the steering wheel and trying not to sound how I feel.
“Your mom just called. Vanessa has invited us to dinner next week. Son, Maya’s coming home.”
My heart stops. “She is?”
“For a visit,” he adds, his voice strained and I can tell he’s trying to temper his words. “She’s coming to see Joseph, but she’s bringing someone with her. I was told to warn you, but Vanessa wants you to see Maya. This may be your chance to convince her you’re ready to settle down.”
I hear what he’s saying, but all I can think about is her not being alone.
“She’s bringing him?” I bite out.
My dad sighs into the phone. “She is. But we don’t know what that means. I’m trying to find out what I can about him, but I’m coming up blank. It’s like he doesn’t exist. You need to keep your cool and do your best to convince her.”
I hang up on my dad without another word. Desperation isn’t something I’m used to, but it’s becoming a familiar feeling as the days wear on.
I look to the road as I steer myself home, but I don’t see anything. Nothing but red. My dad’s right. This might be my only chance. I need to do everything I can to convince her—the stakes are too high. I can’t even think about what I’ll have to do if she doesn’t come around … if she stays a liability.
I slam my hand into the steering wheel, causing the car to swerve.
Fucking desperation. I don’t know how much more I can take.
Chapter 15 – Friends
Grady –
“You leave tomorrow?” Crew asks.
“First thing in the morning. I booked the flight. We’re flying out of Manassas, coming back the next day. She said one night was enough, she just needs to see that her brother’s okay, although I can tell she’s not looking forward to seeing everyone else. We’re staying at her parents’ home so she can be close to her brother. She doesn’t want him to have to leave in case he has another seizure.”
“Talked to Asa who talked to Bennett at the FBI. They know you’ll be there. The wires are still up, and somehow, they got a bug in the MacLachlan house—in the big man’s office. If they hear of anything about Maya, I’ll call you.”
“I read about how secure it is—how did they get ears in there?”
Crew shrugs. “We might all play for the same team, but still, we don’t. I’m surprised Asa’s gotten as much out of them as he has.”
I look to Crew and shake my head. “Asa has too many friends.”
“Contacts,” Crew corrects me, suppressing a smile. “Pretty sure I’m his only friend.”
“Friend,” I huff. “I guess he and I both have that in common then.”
